Claude Drouin

[Disasters, April 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, could the President of the Treasury Board clarify the financial assistance received by Quebec from the Government of Canada, under the disaster financial assistance arrangements?

[Government Services Act, 1999, March 23rd, 1999]

It is always the fault of the federal government.

[Government Services Act, 1999, March 23rd, 1999]

This is not the Parti Quebecois here, this is the Liberal Party.

[Government Services Act, 1999, March 23rd, 1999]

Bulldozer?

[Canadian Francophonie, March 23rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to defending and promoting the French language and French culture during l'Année de la Francophonie.

We are very glad to join all those who share the richness of French culture, including francophones outside Quebec who often had to fight a cultural battle that was far from easy. It is unfortunate that the separatist government has chosen to ignore this opportunity to show their support to francophones throughout Canada.

It is important to point out that there are 9 million Canadians who speak French, almost one Canadian out of three. We hope that, by the end of the year, there will be 30 million of us who appreciate the richness of Canadian Francophonie.

Francophones throughout Canada can rely on the Canadian government to ensure that the French language and French culture are given pride of place in North America.

[Equalization, March 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

In its budget last month, the Government of Canada announced an additional $1.4 billion would soon be paid to Quebec.

I therefore ask the Prime Minister what became of this money to be paid to Quebec as part of the equalization payment program?

[Canada Labour Code, March 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Labour and concerns the amendments to the Canada Labour Code, more specifically part I on labour relations, which came into effect on January 1, 1999.

Could the minister inform the House of the benefits of that reform for workers who come under federal jurisdiction?

[2003 World Forestry Congress, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, on March 4 Canada submitted its bid to host the largest forestry congress in the world in Quebec City in the year 2003.

The 2003 world forestry congress will provide some 175 FAO member countries and numerous international organizations with an unequalled opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences, with a view to improving all aspects of the practice of forestry. Worldwide, national and regional recommendations will also be formulated.

Quebec City was the unanimous choice of all of Canada. It was supported by the Canadian council of forest ministers and of the national forest strategy coalition. If Canada is selected, this will be the first time a world forestry congress will be held in our country.

Our best wishes to Quebec City in its bid to host this congress, a major event for Quebec and for all of Canada.

[Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act, March 8th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to address my colleagues, as well as all Canadians, with respect to Bill C-55, the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act.

This bill will make it an offence for foreign periodical publishers to sell advertising services on the Canadian market. This is an important legislative measure for the Canadian periodical publishing industry, because it will protect the health of this important cultural industry.

Revenues from advertising services are vital to any periodical publisher. Without them, periodicals would simply not exist. Revenues from advertising services pay for such things as editorial content, the cost of photos, and the development of new talent.

Bill C-55 will ensure that Canadian publishers have access to the limited advertising revenue in our country. They will thus continue to bring Canadians a wealth of diversified articles, information and viewpoints about their own country.

Over the years, the Canadian periodical publishing industry has played a very important role in developing our cultural identity. With the support of the federal government, the industry has grown.

Forty years ago, there were 660 Canadian periodicals, with an annual circulation of 28 million copies, representing 20% of all periodicals sold in Canada. Today, there are over 1,500 periodicals, with a circulation of 539 million, representing 65% of all periodicals sold in Canada.

In 1996-97, the Canadian publishing industry brought in over $1 billion, and provided jobs for close to 6,000 Canadians. This industry illustrates the success of Canada's cultural policy, which is why it is important to support this bill.

I want to point out that over 60% of all revenues reported, or $647 million, came from advertising, and this can go as high as 80% and up for general and special-interest periodicals. Paid subscriptions and newsstand sales are not enough to ensure the survival of periodicals.

Members have surely all had periodicals distributed free to their home or office. These are made possible by the sale of advertising services.

Advertising revenues are vital, as I will explain. Each page of advertising pays for one page of editorial content. American publishers have a net competitive advantage over their Canadian counterparts when it comes to supplying advertising services to Canada. This is because they can recycle content for the Canadian market. Furthermore, the size of the American market is conducive to economies of scale in the periodical industry. Bill C-55 seeks to address this unfair situation.

Parliament must ensure the economic survival of the Canadian periodical publishing industry and the continued prosperity of Canadian publishers.

As the Minister of Canadian Heritage said, periodicals differ from other products, in that they are vehicles for the expression of our unique views and experiences. We want those views and experiences to be heard.

The bill will not make it difficult to import foreign periodicals. In this regard, our country is one of the most open in the world. The United States exports more periodicals into Canada than do all other countries combined. Foreign publishers will be able to go on selling their periodicals without restriction in Canada, and Canadians will have the same access to foreign periodicals they have always had.

The new legislation will simply ensure that Canadian periodical publishers have access to the advertising revenues they need to create periodicals that give voice to our own cultural identity.

Canada is very aware of the advantages and opportunities of increased globalization, and intends to promote international trade and establish corresponding rules.

Canada also intends to support our cultural diversity, in which periodicals play an important role. We believe that these two goals can coexist.

In conclusion, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill quickly because, as we have mentioned throughout the debate, it is important for all Canadians and for Canadian jobs.

[Petitions, March 8th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition, also circulated in the riding of Beauce, is from André Grégoire and concerns pay equity.